UFC 25th Anniversary Press Conference

Or also known as, UFC 223 press conference was held with the event headliners.

Specifically, Dana White held in attendance the focus of the events two confirmed bouts. One Featherweight bout between Champion Max Halloway and #2 rank Frankie Edgar, and the other, the main event of the evening, Interim Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson vs. the undefeated #2 rank Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Also announced, without the combatants present, a rematch between women’s Strawweight championship bout from November, Champion Rose Namajunas vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk. More on this bout shortly.

But first, let’s get to the main event of the evening, Ferguson vs Khabib. The one match-up many fans have been waiting for…and waiting for…and waiting for…Yes, initially and last planned last year, the fight didn’t materialized after “The Eagle” was sent to the hospital just hours before the card for issues from the weight-cut. Since then, Ferguson has only just won interim gold after taking down Motown phenom, Kevin Lee. Khabib on the other hand was recently pitted against the dangerous striker Edson Barbosa just last month, a bout which he dominated all three rounds.

Fortunately for the fans, the two have not stopped jawing at each other since they were first pair against one another back in 2015. Three announcements later, we’re all hoping they get to get it on, for what will be undisputed title at 155.

Also in attendance at the UFC 223 press conference, the Hawaiian Max “Blessed” Halloway vs Frankie “The Answer” Edgar. These two finally get it on after a four month delay from an injury to the latter. Instead, the champ saw a rematch versus one of the sports all-time greats in Jose Aldo. And for those of you keeping track at home, that’s twice Halloway defeated Jose, and two times more than his next opponent has done in as many tries. Fortunately for Frankie, Halloway’s first name isn’t B.J. or Jose, which seems like the only two people he loses to. Otherwise he has dominated this division since its induction into the UFC.

Arguably though, the biggest star of the press conference, is the man who has left both of those divisions as the undisputed champ in favor of…well, who know’s. But Conor McGregor questions were thrown several times at UFC President Dana White, who pretty much laughed them off, not providing an answer on if the Conor would be making a comeback at some point, or if hell be getting stripped of the belt. If and when he does decide to come back, he’ll be a clear #1 contender for any of these four gentlemen.

But that leaves us with the event’s co-main event, a rematch between Rose Namajunas and Joanna Jedrzejczyk (We’re going to just stick to their first names for obvious reasons). Last time we saw the two, Rose was making Joanna tap-out to strikes. It’ll be interesting to see if we’ll get more of the same, or if Joanna will be more of the fighting champion as she was for the past few years.

UFC 223, the promotions 25th year anniversary event, should provide plenty of excitement. The last time, three champs were on the same card, it was easily the best of the year. Hopefully everyone stays healthy and we’ll have a good show for the fans.

UFC 209 – The Post Fight

UFC 209 played a lot like the season in which it took place, in like a lion and out like a lamb. A main event with so much promise was quite the disappointment, well in comparison to their first fight.

Tyron “The Choosen One” Woodley retained his title against number one contender Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson by a majority decision. In a fight a lot less controversial than the first, some could argue it could have gone the other way, but to many it’s pretty hard to find fault in the decision.

The bulk of the fight we saw Wonderboy controlling the middle of the octagon, pressing forward and Woodley being patient with few moments of flurries and a couple takedowns. Round one went to Thompson. Pretty much the only activity you had was Wonderboy’s octagon control. Round two we saw much of the same, but more a little more activity from the champ. It was the one round that could have gone either way. Round three was easily for Woodley from the takedowns. But Thompson came back to out-point him in the fourth. It was no surprise that the fight would have been decided in the fifth. And another round that could have gone either way until the final seconds where Woodley let loose a barrage of punches. Big John was being a little lenient as this could have easily been called 15 seconds before the bell.

And that was it. At least 24 minutes of inactivity in the 25 minute fight. Maybe one fight was good enough for the two of them.

The Best of the Rest

Just a day day prior to the event we lost our co-main event, Nurmagomedov vs Ferguson. In its place we had two other lightweights, Lando Vannata vs David Teymur, which saw Teymur come out on top. But even in defeat Vannata still seems to impress. Let’s be real, in his only other loss he gave a good beating to Tony Ferguson. Dana White did know what he was doing by putting these two in the co-main event. For two unranked fighters, I really couldn’t take my eyes off them. A couple stars in the making.

Also on the card we saw someone’s dad (complete with body, tan lines and knee brace) beat Rashard Evans in his first contest at middleweight. And another Diaz brother, but a female version, win her UFC debut.

The first match of the pay-per-view saw what could have been a headliner a few years ago, Allister Overeem taking on the Super Samoan Mark Hunt. A couple good knee lifts sent Hunt out and down for the night in the third. Overeem could be looking to take yet another run for a title shot.

Overall, many times you can rate a night of fights by the finale. This one fits right in that form. A lot of “Ehh” moments to make an “Ehh” event. On to Brazil

 

 

UFC 209: Khabib vs Ferguson

The UFC’s Lightweight division is becoming one of the more exciting and contested divisions in the promotion. Saturday, March 4, we have a delight of a bout to look forward to.

Khabib Nurmagomedov takes on Tony Ferguson for lightweight gold. And it’s a meeting that many are eyeing for the challenge to UFC’s ultimate star, Conor McGregor.

McGregor, the current undisputed Lightweight Champion is on an indefinite leave of absence from the UFC, awaiting the birth of his child. That may or may not be the only thing he’s waiting for either. Who’s to say that the Natorious One will come back and fight lightweight. McGregor’s last three opponents were fought at three completely different weight classes. But the next fight that’s most associated with McGregor isn’t even a MMA fight.

So with no set timeframe for the reigning champ to return, we find two of the division’s most talented for the interim title. In one corner, a man who has gone on an absolute tear through many of the division’s top contenders. And in the other corner, a man who has just gone on an absolute tear altogether. You can actually say the same about either fighter.

Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson impressed many and hoisted himself to number one contender status after a convincing victory over former lightweight champ Rafael dos Anjos back in November. A winner of nine straight, including one over 5th ranked Edson Barbosa, who similarly to RDA, is a pretty tough out. But Ferguson seemingly finds ways to not just beat these guys, but finish them in style.

Now, while a streak of nine in a row in 25 professional fights sounds impressive, how does a streak 24 in a row in 24 professional fights sound? That is Khabib Nurmagomedov. One of the only top ranked fighters in any division that is undefeated. And watching him fight, it’s easy to see why he has yet to lose a bout.

Ferguson is one of UFC’s best strikers, who’s ground game is just as intense. He can beat you standing, he can submit you easy, and if it goes to the judges, he’ll find a way to get them in his favor. But Khabib is ranked #1 and undefeated for a reason. He’s just plain intense in every aspect. He can almost take anyone down at will. And when that happens it’s a wrap.

As far as a prediction goes, I’ll lean toward Khabib, just because of that. With these two guys, this fight will find it’s way on the mat. And that Russian bulldog will put El Cucuy in a ground and pound meat grinder.

PREDICTION: Nurmagomedov